Name: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta; 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped); 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce; 3/4 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing); 1 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper; 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 1/4 cup red onion (finely diced); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; Salt and pepper to taste; Chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese for garnish (optional)

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If you love bold flavors and crowd-pleasing picnic dishes, then Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is about to become your new obsession. It’s the perfect mashup of creamy pasta salad and spicy buffalo chicken wings—all bursting with crunch, color, and tang in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a hungry game-day crowd or meal-prepping a satisfying lunch, this dish hits all the right notes and never gets boring. Trust me: every bite is packed with flavor, and this vibrant salad delivers the kind of comfort food goodness that people talk about long after the last forkful is gone.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is one of those magical salads where every ingredient shines and serves a purpose. Gather these simple, everyday items, and together they create a pasta salad that’s both hearty and irresistible. Here’s why each deserves a spot in this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe.

Rotini or penne pasta (12 ounces): Their spirals or ridges catch the creamy dressing perfectly, ensuring big flavor in every forkful.
Cooked chicken (2 cups, shredded or chopped): Rotisserie works wonders for ease; it soaks up the zippy buffalo sauce and keeps things protein-rich.
Buffalo wing sauce (1/2 cup): This is the signature kick—adjust to your preferred spice level for max enjoyment!
Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (3/4 cup): Creamy, tangy, and cooling, it balances out the heat of the buffalo sauce beautifully.
Chopped celery (1 cup): Classic buffalo pairing! Adds amazing color and the best crunch.
Chopped red bell pepper (1/2 cup): Sweet-peppery bites that bring both freshness and eye-popping color.
Shredded carrots (1/2 cup): Their subtle sweetness and crunch tie the entire salad together.
Red onion, finely diced (1/4 cup): Just enough zing to keep things interesting without overpowering the salad.
Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup): Melty sharpness nestles perfectly among the tangy and spicy dynamics.
Salt and pepper to taste: Simple, but essential for dialing in the perfect flavor balance.
Chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese for garnish (optional): Offers a final flourish of freshness or creamy bite, depending on your mood.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta of choice (rotini or penne) according to the package directions, just until al dente. Drain out all the water, then give the pasta a quick rinse with cold water. This step not only stops the pasta from cooking further but also helps cool it down, so your salad stays delightfully fresh rather than lukewarm.

Step 2: Whisk the Dressing

Grab a large mixing bowl and pour in that zesty buffalo wing sauce along with your ranch or blue cheese dressing. Whisk them together until you have a smooth, creamy, and vibrant orange sauce that’s as tempting as it smells. This is where the spicy, cool magic begins!

Step 3: Toss Everything Together

Add your cooled pasta to the dressing, followed by the cooked chicken, crisp celery, crunchy red bell pepper, shredded carrots, red onion, and that glorious shower of cheddar cheese. With a big spoon or spatula, gently toss everything together. Make sure every nook and cranny of pasta gets coated with the buffalo-ranch goodness and all the veggies and chicken are evenly spread throughout the bowl.

Step 4: Season and Chill

Give the salad a quick taste—add a sprinkle of salt and pepper until it’s just right for you. Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Letting Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe chill allows those bold flavors to really mingle, making the dish irresistible and cohesive by the time you’re ready to serve.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, stir the salad a final time and scatter over fresh green onions or a handful of crumbled blue cheese if you like a little extra tang. Serve cold and watch as it quickly disappears from the table!

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Garnishes

A final sprinkle of chopped green onions not only adds brightness but a subtle flavor that ties everything together. If you’re a blue cheese lover, some crumbles on top make every forkful just a bit creamier and bolder. Even a touch of extra buffalo sauce drizzled over the top gives the salad beautiful color and extra zest—the choice is yours!

Side Dishes

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is hearty enough to shine as a main dish but also pairs perfectly with crunchy garlic bread, a simple green salad, or fresh fruit for a cooling contrast. Chips or celery sticks on the side help satisfy your craving for extra crunch and let you scoop up every bit of dressing left on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the salad in individual bowls or mason jars for grab-and-go style at picnics and potlucks. It’s also adorable scooped into lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held option. For game day gatherings, pile it into a large platter surrounded by extra veggie sticks—everyone will love digging in their own way.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe keeps exceptionally well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors only get better as they meld, but be sure to give everything a good stir before serving again to redistribute all the creamy dressing.

Freezing

While this dish is at its best fresh or chilled, freezing is not recommended. The creamy dressing can separate and the vegetables may lose their crunchy texture after thawing. For best results, make only what you’ll enjoy within a few days.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be served cold or at cool room temperature, making it an ideal make-ahead dish. If you prefer a slightly warmer bite, you can let it sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes before serving, but there’s no need to reheat—it truly shines when chilled.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Salad

Absolutely! Any short, sturdy pasta like fusilli or farfalle works well—just make sure it has plenty of shape or ridges to catch all that luscious dressing and buffalo chicken.

Is there a way to make this salad spicier or milder?

You bet! If you’re all about heat, add extra buffalo sauce or toss in some diced jalapeños. For milder palettes, use a little less buffalo sauce and increase the amount of ranch or blue cheese dressing to mellow things out.

What’s the best way to make this salad gluten-free?

Simply substitute a gluten-free pasta and double-check your sauces and dressings for hidden gluten ingredients. The flavors and textures will be just as delicious, and no one will miss the gluten.

Can I prepare Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe a day in advance?

Yes, this is the ultimate make-ahead dish! Just assemble the salad up to a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge, and garnish right before serving. The chilling time actually improves the taste, so don’t be shy about prepping early.

Is rotisserie chicken the only option?

Not at all! Any cooked chicken—grilled, baked, leftover, or even poached—works perfectly here. Rotisserie just happens to be fast and flavorful, but use whatever you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your next gathering or even just lunch at home, give Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe a try. It’s bold, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable. I can’t wait for you to share this with friends and family—their rave reviews will speak for themselves!

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of buffalo wings with creamy ranch dressing. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Salad:

12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
3/4 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup red onion (finely diced)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water.
Prepare the dressing: Whisk together buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing in a large bowl.
Combine ingredients: Add pasta, chicken, celery, bell pepper, carrots, onion, and cheddar cheese to the bowl; toss to coat.
Season and chill: Season with salt and pepper, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Serve: Garnish with green onions or blue cheese before serving.